ROBERT MOODY, GUEST CONDUCTOR

What better way to celebrate Maestro Savia’s 30th Anniversary than to bring back his first Assistant Conductor, Robert Moody! Currently Music Director of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, Moody began his conducting career in Evansville, not only as Assistant Conductor but also as Evansville Philharmonic Chorus Conductor and founding conductor of the Evansville Philharmonic Youth Orchestra. Moody leads the EPO in Mendelssohn’s brilliant “Italian” Symphony No. 4, and reunites with the Chorus for John Rutter’s sublime and uplifting Requiem. Currently Composer-In-Residence at the Kennedy Center, Mason Bates describes his innovative piece, Auditorium, as a thriller during which the orchestra is “haunted” by ghostly recordings of a baroque ensemble.

COUNTRY LEGENDS

Saturday, February 9, 2019, 7PM

Rachel Potter and Patrick Thomas, Singers

A foot-stompin,’ toe-tappin’ tribute to the greatest names in country music, including songs by famed singers and songwriters like Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Carrie Underwood, and Faith Hill. Hear country classics Crazy, Jolene, Ring of Fire, On The Road Again, Devil Went Down To Georgia, and many more. Singer Patrick Thomas is a Nashville-based recording artist and was a finalist on Season 1 of NBC’s hit show The Voice. Returning to the Victory stage after her 2015 Peppermint Pops appearance, Rachel Potter, is a Nashville based country music recording artist and songwriter, who was a top 12 Finalist on the hit television reality show The X Factor.

BRAHMS’ 1ST CONCERTO & STRAVINSKY’S FIREBIRD

Maestro Savia brings back his good friend and colleague, American pianist Norman Krieger, to perform the intensely romantic and passionate Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1. The bubbly and effervescent Overture to Rossini’s La Gazza Ladra(The Thieving Magpie) is recognizable from being featured in Stanley Kubrick’s cult film A Clockwork Orange. Igor Stravinsky’s first ballet, Firebird, became an instant success after its premiere in Paris, and the Suite from the ballet remains his most popular orchestral work to this day. Experience the captivating score and mesmerizing story of a mystical bird with fiery red feathers. Powerful, mysterious, beautiful, and exhilarating, this music will take your breath away!

Blast off to space with the Evansville Philharmonic as we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the moon landing! Composer James Beckel has written a special piece just for this occasion, and it will be performed along with other “interstellar” works in this space-themed concert!

The program will include special videos from NASA projected above the stage as well as a special performance from the winner of our 2018 Young Artist Competition, bassoonist Katie Mills.